I hesitate to post these pictures, given the amazing photos presented by other bloggers. But this is what I have, and I promised it.

My son produces the beautiful photographs. Mine are just a record of where I’ve been. Fortunately for you I don’t take a lot of people pictures.

Anyway, let’s start in Ketchikan, the first stop on our Holland America Line cruise. I guess I should have known, but I didn’t realize what a powerful cultural influence is played by Native Americans in Alaska. (or should they be called, as in Canada, the first peoples? I like the latter.) Anyway, just off the boat, there was this totem, too tall for me to get entirely into the photo.

So I took this detail photo.

And then a couple of casual scenes

I made sure to get a shot of Dolly’s place. No longer officially an active occupation, but apparently she was a standout in the prostitution business back in the heady gold rush days – and a community leader as well.

Along the way I discovered this Salmon by the artist Terry Pyles. Dedicated July 4, 2013, it was named “Yeltatzie Salmon” in honor of Halda Native Carver Jones Yeltatzie (1900-1976) whose wood carving (1963) it replaced.

Later, because it was allowed, I took a shot inside the museum.

NEXT STOP, JUNEAU

I won’t include photos of the jewelry I bought. Apparently that’s the thing to do in Juneau, but I did get a shot of the neighborhood around the jewelry stores.

Followed in the early evening by a seaplane flight over the glaciers.

I confess I was surprised to see so much green. A friend of mine says she has comparative photos of the glaciers with a five year difference that show how much less ice there is now.

ICY STRAIT POINT was the next photo op on the cruise. We paid to go on an excursion offering a chance to see bears on the first land-based half and a promise to see whales on the second half of the trip. On the first lap we saw no living bears — or animals of any kind. They just didn’t feel like showing up. So, this stump carving was the only bear we saw.

Then we headed for the whale watching piece of the tour, only to be told at the last minute that it was cancelled due to technical difficulties. Yes, we did get that portion of the fee back. No, I didn’t see any bears or whales while I was in Alaska.

ON TO ANCHORAGE

One of my photos in Anchorage is of the flea market where I acquired sundry small items made from things like fossilized whale bone, fish vertebrae, moose hair. And some leather bags for next to nothing price-wise. What I like best about the flea market photo is the sky.

And then theres the area outside the museum.

Inside the museum I managed to get a couple of shots — not the only things that attracted, but quick studies.

HOMER

Next stop Homer and the amazingly beautiful Norman Lowell Gallery. I deprived myself of some lovely wandering by waiting until I could get this photo of a main gallery without any people in it. Not easy to do, because tourists love to get photos of each other in front of what they’ve seen. Anyway, here’s what I finally accomplished with much patience. That’s a painting of the northern lights in the center.

As a mark of the long way the artist has come since arriving in Alaska, we had access to the homestead cabin where he and his wife began their adventure.

and two shots of the interior.

I have to admit I learned something I should probably have known — how very recent was the homesteading activity in Alaska, as reflected by the materials in the cabin.

Approaching the ship on the way back from the Homer expedition I spotted a community of ladies and midwives waiting for delivery.

KODIAK

In Kodiak I learned something else I should probably have known — the strong Russian influence as reflected in this Russian Orthodox Church, reported to be the oldest in the U.S., and the apparent faith of most of the Tlinkit.

And the interior

A SCENIC DAY AT SEA FOLLOWED.

We spent July 2 slowly circling the Hubbard Glacier — a most beautiful day with an astounding view. Check the header of this blog to get a sense of it.

SITKA

The display of Tlinkit dancing in Sitka was bright and colorful. First a photo of the stage, and then the photo op outside with the dancers – of all ages. Many moms dancing with their babes in arms, but men, boys, girls, and us for a while (though without the colorful costumes.)

We also got a clear view of Mt. Edgecomb. It hasn’t erupted in recent history, but there was the incident they tell about where practical jokers set a stack of tires ablaze at its top, producing a brief scare for the town.

Our last stop in Sitka was a totem park. I managed to get a couple of pictures, but it’s hard without also getting a tourist in front of the subject. But again,with patience, I got a shot of one of them.

VICTORIA

And then Victoria, with a walk through the Agkhazi gardens and tea in the tea house.

Now the tour of Alaska is over. We disembarked in Seattle with some time to spare before the flight home, so we explored a bit of the town. First the space needle — an adventure in height (which doesn’t bother me if I don’t have to rely and my own feet to keep me grounded). The view was spectacular as expected.

And I got a shot of the work of art just outside the entrance.

Because I got in the habit of photographing markets when we did the Asia/Pacific tour, I took a shot of the Seattle Farmer’s Market. Too bad we weren’t staying there long enough to enjoy some of the wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables, and the amazing flowers. The crowds, though! Oh, the crowds!

19 responses to “I PROMISED ALASKA”

And Suz, I’ve been battling the system. I think what you got had an awful lot of mixed up stuff. Anyway, the photos were there. I think the system has calmed down now. And thanks for noticing and commenting. You are a very generous lady.

Wow, Mona! Loved all the art! And you are a pretty good photographer, too. I admire all of the travel you have been able to do. It’s wonderful to hear from you this way. Northern lights painting , first large totem pole ( very much like Hawaii totems),midwives, and the market were my favorite. Great Cultural photo-journalism! Sharon Lombardi

Mona, my favories series has been “Northern exposure” – about the new Yorkian Doctor Joel Fleishman having to serve as physician in a little town called Cicely – and during 4 years are acclimated. If you ever can get the DVDs, I think you will love them. And so I call myself an Alaskian connoisseur now:) and have enjoyed your photos very much!

Oh I remember that show well. Loved it! In fact, I took it a little personally when the guy who played the doctor decided he didn’t want to work on the show anymore, causing its demise. That was good TV! And now –I’m sick and tired of murder and mayhem. It might even drive me back to reading during that last relaxing hour of the evening.

Yes, he did. (At least that’s the way I remember it.) And the writers brought the series to a good end, but I wanted it to continue. Such wonderful characters. I haven’t seen much to meet that quality since.